The United States have pulled off one massive upset and are plotting another on Sunday when they look for payback against defending champions Brazil in the Confederations Cup final.
Bob Bradley’s men stunned European champions Spain in their semi-final for a famous 2-0 victory by effectively closing down dangerman Xavi and will be keen to keep Kaka under wraps in the same way.
In contrast, Brazil struggled to get past a determined South Africa, needing a Daniel Alves free-kick two minutes from time to break the deadlock and stay alive to defend their title.
Four years ago in Germany, Brazil won the tournament by beating Argentina 4-1 but if the USA play as they did against Spain it could be a much closer affair this year.
A key factor working in the Americans’ favour is that they are learning to believe in themselves.
“What we’re learning is how to move forward as a team, making sure as a team we’re organised. But that is not enough, we have to be able to move ball, create chances, get goals,” Bradley said.
“It’s not one thing, it’s a package. In the last year more and more of our players have realised that if you can put that together then you can compete with the best teams. It’s a constant evolution.”
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, who was instrumental in helping his team upset Spain, knows they go into Sunday’s game as rank underdogs but said it did not bother them.
“We’re always going to be underdogs,” he said.
“But we have shown that when we come together and do our best, we can do great things. We may not be the biggest or best-known players in the world, but when we come together it’s not about that.”
Brazil beat the United States 3-0 during the group stages and that is motivation enough for American captain Carlos Bocanegra.
“We almost gave them too much respect and sat back too much,” he said.
“It’s important to start the game with a lot of energy – we can’t sit back and let Brazil control the match.”
It will be a bitter-sweet day for Bradley, whose son Michael will miss the game after a straight red card for a lunging tackle in the Spain match.
Otherwise, he has a full complement of players to choose from.
Brazil coach Dunga, whose team have had a day less to recover, is respectful of the United States after their giant-killing semi-final exploits.
“The US has a peculiar way of playing and we will need to stay calm against them,” he said.
“I did not see the US play against Spain, but we will be watching the game to prepare for Sunday.”
Despite having seen his side struggle to unlock South Africa, Dunga is expected to send out much the same team with Luis Fabiano up front and Kaka and Robinho tucked in behind him.
With Lucio, Maicon, Luisao and Andre Santos holding the back line and Felipe Melo, Ramires and Gilberto Silva operating in midfield the United States will have their work cut out.
Bradley will once again be heavily reliant on experienced LA Galaxy attacker Landon Donovan controlling the game in the middle, while Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore will need to make the most of any chances that come their way up front.
Koala Bear
Guest
Midfielder, who that witnessed the incredible boil over on that Monday morning from the USA would have to say the USA humiliated Spain... It was an enthralling match open free football from both teams... How on earth did USA do it..? I can’t figure it out and neither can the SBS Football analysts... I’m very much sure Fossie had some angrily words to say off camera about USA winning the way they did, as he being a football purist of skill and technique... The USA truly made him blush after his comments before the kick-off... My explanation is the USA showed more mobility than Spain did... Simply they went out there to enjoy themselves and through caution to the wind... When the USA went one up they realised the game was there to be won... So they continued to play above themselves with a greater desire to win... Spain with their short passing game eventually started to play themselves back into the game but the USA were never going to let them get the illusive goals that they couldn’t get in the end... They then went out against Brazil with the same tactics and only the lacked the depth, I believe, brought them undone against the might of Brazil to go that step further... As you would expect Brazil after half time changed things around with fresh reserves with no technical ability lost that the USA clearly lack when they tried to counter with their subs... However, the tactical nous and technical skill showed by the USA demonstrates such teams are closing the gap between the super powers and the minnows... I think they did themselves no harm in this tournament with playing two strikers not one, like we do... I hope Pim saw the tournament to see how we should be playing going into SA World Cup... The USA’s Landon Donavan is clearly an underrated No. 10; that most of the top Euro nations don’t rate... He showed in the Confederation’s cup he is an extremely marvellous consistent performer for the USA; someone we lack in our National Australian Football team (give Nicky Carle a chance to blossom) ... A real playmaker that could make things happened... ~~~~~~~~~ KB
Midfielder
Guest
Papa Agree 100% mate .. BTW go the Mariners this year .. hope you have a good set of pills in but not those weak blue ones they just give up when the going gets a bid tough.
Midfielder
Guest
Pip Socceroo V USA .. poor Fozzie
Koala Bear
Guest
JR, the USA are the new entertainers... Who says you can't play with two strikers against Spain and Brazil... How refreshing their football is... USA take a bow, you're a magnificent team that play Football in the right spirit... ~~~~~~~~~ KB
JR
Guest
Wonderful game!
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Didn't see any of the games but they both sound like they were fantastic games (to get two such finals games panning out the way they did is indeed a rare treat). I'm looking forward to seeing highlights of the game. I repeat again - the uniqueness of the first WC on the African continent is going to throw up the most unusual final 8 in the history of the WC - even more unusual than the 2002 WC (which is saying something). This WC will be one to savour - I'm sure of it.
Mice
Guest
MVDave you make a good point about the weather. I watched Brazil v South Africa and the final this morning and think that Brazil could struggle against teams like England or Germany if they were to meet in the world cup finals next year, in these same conditions. Brazil have great players but seem to be lacking that magic we are used to seeing from them. Their style of play seems to be very european under Dunga.
MVDave
Guest
Well done USA for putting Brazil under serious stress and then to Brazil for their comeback (the 2nd US goal was as good as any you will see). US (and Egypt) have shown Brazil are not infallible and can be scored against. Hopefully the USA can maintain this form into the WC in 2010. Also well done to South Africa for a terrific effort against the Euro Champs Spain. To be leading until the last few minutes should be good for their self belief. Still plenty to do before June 2010 but the signs are promising. A couple of excellent games overnight and with the cooler weather it seems the games are played at a higher tempo than in the usual summer heat.